Inspiration | FIV | Magazine

Jess LaFrankie: First photo, shootings & Professional photography – Interview with a fashion photographer

Lisa-Marie — Sun, 12 Apr 2020 05:00:56 +0000

Jess Lafrankie is an australien based photographer and member of the Australian Institute of Professional Photography. She has been published in over 40 international magazines and has developed a style and technique in the middle ground of art and advertising that has bought her many of Australia’s clients and publications. The FIV Magazine did an interview with the fashion photographer, talking about her first picture, inspiration for shootings and her future plans.

Jess LaFrankie: Instagram

Jess LaFrankie: Website

Personal information: interests, photography & her first picture

FIV: You live in Melbourne on the beautiful Gold Coast. How long have you lived there and what means Melbourne to you?

Jess: I moved from the Gold Coast to Melbourne when I was 18 to study and work as a photographer. While I constantly miss the sunshine of the Gold Coast, I enjoy the atmosphere of Melbourne and the creative environment it offers.

FIV: Do you remember the first picture you ever took? Have your creative talent been noticeable since you were a child?

Jess: I was more interested in other creative outlets as child. I didn’t connect with photography until I was 15. I transferred high schools and was accidentally put into a photography class instead of business. The class quickly became my favourite and sparked an interest in pursuing photography after school.

FIV: For our readers is interesting to get you known as person a little bit. How would your friends describe you?

Jess: I’m not too sure to be honest, they sometimes refer to me as the grandma of the group because I like to garden, read and can’t go past a cute cardigan.

Career: Professional photography, inspiration & shootings

FIV: What other parts of photography have you tried? Why did you decide to specialise on the fashion photography?

Jess: I was originally a portrait photographer and experimented in most of the other photography genres when I first started. I love specialising in fashion photography because it allows me to dream up concepts and then execute them, giving me the chance to distort reality on a regular basis.

FIV: With the number of pictures you post on instagram you get the feeling you have a new shooting every day. How does a normal day in your life look like?

Jess: Everyday is different, the amount of times I shoot a month always changes, no two months are really the same. I usually post less than half of the work that I do online.

FIV: You have got a great passion for photographie. Are there other passions in your life?

Jess: I’m a huge green thumb, I have about 350 plants in my home which I love taking care of and I’m also passionate about ancient history and travelling.

FIV: You also host retouching and photography workshops. What led you to this decision and what kind of teacher are you?

Jess: I was drawn to creating fashion photography workshops because there’s not a lot of opportunity for young photographers to have access to top models and luxury locations so I found myself wanting to create these opportunities for them.

I think overall I’m really open about my industry experience and happy to share as much information as I can to those who attend my workshops.

FIV: Where do you get your inspiration for your different projects?

Jess: Mostly I’ll find a location and build a concept or idea around that. You can find inspiration anywhere though, in books, art, conversation and reflection.

FIV: Do you recognize a bigger change process in this fast changing industry over the past years? How do you stay up to date?

Jess: You’ve just gotta do your own thing, this industry relies on changes and trends so as long as you’re focusing on your own style and interests you’ll find a way to create images that are relevant and personal.

FIV: You spend many hours taking photos. Tell us a little story that happened within the shootings and which firstly comes you in mind.

Jess: There was a time we were shooting on a busy bridge in Brisbane and the model was throwing her dress into the wind and a very expensive bracelet flew off her wrist and into the 4 lanes of oncoming traffic. It was stressful at the time but pretty funny looking back at it.

FIV: What are your plans and goals for the future? Where do you wanna be in your life in 5 years?

Jess: Hopefully doing what I’m doing today, I honestly love what I do and I’m so grateful for the incredible lifestyle this job affords me.

Jess LaFrankie: Instagram

Jess LaFrankie: Website

Luise Reichert: Shootings, beauty & fashion photography – Interview with a commercial photographer

Lisa-Marie — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 05:00:32 +0000

Luise Reichert is a fashion and commercial photographer based in Vienna. With 18 years she discoverd her love for photography. She already wins her first international competition, successfuly asserting herself against 6000 applicants and becomes “Student of the Year 2011” of the “Professional Photographer of the Year Award”. Further publications of her work in various magazines and on online platforms follow. Her passion, however, is clearly beauty and fashion photography. The FIV Magazine did an interview with the fashion and commercial photographer, talking about her development as a photographer, the course of her shootings and her plans for the future.

Luise Reichert: Instagram
Luise Reichert: Website

Personal information: childhood, Vienna & interests

FIV: When I think of Vienna, the three words Amadeus, Falco and Sacher Torte immediately occur to me and a picture of magnificent buildings emerges in my head. How do you see Vienna? What 3 things come to mind when you think of Vienna?

Luise: I was born and raised in Vienna so the city is my home base. My safe place. All of my family and friends are here. Sure, it’s nice to leave the city for a few weeks or months, but it’s always a pleasure to come back home. I really admire how clean, safe, and beautiful my hometown is. Three things that Vienna brings to mind is “Warmth”, “Safety”, and “Spritzer”.

FIV: When you see your work today, the thought suggests itself that your creativity and perhaps even your affinity for photography could be noticed in your childhood. Is that so or how do you remember your childhood?

Luise: I grew up in a really creative family. My father runs a small art school, so I was surrounded by art almost every day of my childhood. When I was 14 I held a presentation at school about photography. To be honest, I copied the presentation from my older brother. But thanks to him I began being highly interested in the art. Within the next few years, I had cut out hundreds of photos from VOGUE, ELLE, etc., and placed them in a folder. At this age, I hadn’t yet imagined myself as a fashion photographer but when I turned 18 I received my first camera as a birthday gift. Since that day, I loved seeing the world through its lens. I began shooting portraits of my closest friends and quickly became fascinated with fashion. As a result, I decided to follow my passions and become a professional fashion photographer.

Way to professional photography: shootings & team

FIV: Which way did you go to work as a professional photographer today? Have you completed an education or a study? Or did you train yourself and learn through experience?

Luise: I studied Photography and Audiovisual Media at Grapische Vienna. But I also gained a lot of experience from completing different tutorials and assisting other photographers. I feel as though photography is a constant learning process, and I definitely learn something new at every shoot.

FIV: Meanwhile you mostly photograph with a team of make-up artists, lighting technicians and of course models. Do you organize the shootings completely on your own and how does such a classic shooting day work for you?

Luise: It honestly depends on the client I’m working with. Some clients organize literally everything. Other times, it’s part of my job to book the studio or location, cast the models, find the right makeup artist and the correct stylist, etc. The day before the shoot, I prepare all of my technical equipment and pack all of the materials I need. A typical shooting day starts with me and my assistant transporting everything to the shooting location and meeting everyone else involved in the production. While the makeup artist and stylist are doing their job, I’m analyzing positions, setting up the equipment, and creating appropriate lighting to prepare for the job. During shooting, there are occasional makeup, styling, and background changes which gives me time to have a peek at the photos, see what is working, and select my favorites. After all the styles are shot, the team packs up their equipment with a hopefully successful shooting day completed.

FIV: Behind really good pictures there are often many more people than you might guess at the end. Do you have a team that supports you regularly? Your own retoucher? Or on what basis do the teams meet for your shootings?

Luise: I do all retouching myself but I do have a shooting assistant who is always supporting me and a few makeup artists and stylists that I work on a regular basis. But I am quite openminded when it comes to working with someone new. I usually find artists to collaborate with via social media or through personal referrals and create a team for specific shoots.

Photography: commercial & editorial shootings – the most impressive shoot

FIV: What is the difference between a commercial shooting and an editorial shooting? You have already done both on a very professional basis and are now an expert in both areas.

Luise: The specifications are usually much more detailed when commercial shooting. Some clients have strict colors and themes, some always want the same model, and some need to work with special props. I can express my creativity much more when shooting a fashion or beauty editorial. Of course, there are also special requirements for those shoots but all in all they provide more freedom.

FIV: Which areas of photography have you tried so far? Have you ever been a wedding photographer or taken classic studio pictures? How did you finally come to specialize in editorials?

Luise: I’ve previously done interior design shoots and occasionally took photos of employees, but my real passion for photography burns brightest when shooting editorial or commercials. I shot a wedding once, but to be honest I didn’t really like it. Fashion is my passion!

FIV: As a fashion magazine, we know that there are sometimes disagreements at work in the creative industry. What type of people do you prefer to work with and what are NO-Goes when it comes to working with you?

Luise: I myself am a shy, calm, and cautious person. I don’t really like to work with loud or bossy people or someone who has affectations. Luckily, I don’t have any problems making arrangements with a wide variety of different characters.

FIV: You have shooted in many places in the world that are worth seeing. What was the most extreme or impressing shoot of your career so far?

Luise: In Autumn of 2016 I did a shoot with a parachute on the beaches of Normandy. We drove a car from Paris and arrived on a cold and very windy day. It was truly a struggle to take control of the parachute while trying to get the right shot. I think it was the most exhausting shoot I’ve ever done, but the outcome was definitely worth it.

FIV: You have already achieved a lot at your young age. What is your plans for the future? Do you as a photographer want to keep up the pace or would you rather start a family soon? Maybe you will do something completely different and become a ski instructor.

Luise: I’m just at the beginning of my career as a photographer. So I definitely want to keep taking pictures, improve my skills, and connecting with new clients. A family is also definitely an option for me as well, but I’ll never stop shooting. If I weren’t to be a photographer, I might be something like an undertaker, crime scene cleaner, or a greif/death counselor. It sounds really weird but I’ve always been intrigued by the end of life.

Luise Reichert: Instagram
Luise Reichert: Website

Summer Outfit Special – Trend Look Denim

Stephan — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 10:07:23 +0000

Hello my love!

As the weather is getting better and the temperatures slowly but surely continue to rise, I thought it was time for a little summer outfit special. I chose the fabric denim as a trend look and looked for you how to combine it the best. Denim is available in almost every cut. Pants, jeans jackets, jeans skirts, dresses, t-shirts, shoes, bags and more. I have selected my favorite denim pieces from my wardrobe and put together for you outfits that are not only super beautiful but also great for the coming warm temperatures.

Denim, denim, denim

The fabric that simply always goes, because it is super practical, diverse and looks just good. It is available in all colours, all cuts and in a thousand different versions. Whether with cracks, color patches or with patches printed. Jeans has always been a must-have in every wardrobe and always reinvents itself. What I can combine on the fabric, I show you now.

Jeans jacket – Oversized look by Zara

This jeans jacket by Zara is quite simple, but still a real eye-catcher. It is cut in Oversized and gives the outfit something very casual and comfortable. A super casual outfit for everyday life. I have combined the jeans jacket with a torn shirt (Bershka), a black jeans (Reserved) and a small pink bag (Gioia), which adds a touch of elegance to the loose outfit. The look is perfect for the transitional season and suitable for the warmer temperatures, just replacing the black jeans with a shorts.

Combine jeans skirt – belt and clutch

This jeans skirt by Asos is a real denim special. It has super nice details on the pockets and on the waistband. Actually, I’m not a big fan of short skirts, but I must say this is not too long and not too short. It fits super and can be combined great. I chose a slightly more chic version, with a black off-shoulder pullover (Zara), a black belt (Reserved) and a small bag (vintage).

Jeans skirts can be combined super easy very casually. A white T-shirt and sneaker, with a casual Crop hoodie or with a body, the jeans skirt looks much cooler. It is super comfortable and uncomplicated. Perfect for the summer! Here I have another little combination for you.

Jeans – Distresed x Used

It is now a trend to wear torn trousers, nothing new, but it just comes more and more to wearing fashion jeans with special washes. I’ve picked a jeans that combines both. The nice thing is, the holes are not so huge but discreetly distributed, which in combination with the washing gives a super cool effect. Also here there are many possibilities to combine such a special jeans and also here I have 2 alternatives for you. On the one hand it is quite simple with a black T-shirt, a black leather jacket and black Stiefeletten (both Reserved), which draws the attention fully on the pants.

On the other hand, combined with discreet colors, such as a white leather jacket and a light basic top, whereby the trousers are more integrated into the outfit and not so much as it stands out.

I hope I could inspire you with a bit of inspiration and show you one or the other side of the eternal trend fabric. The trend this summer is definitely in the direction of jeans skirts and jeans jackets, which can also be combined together! If you have any suggestions or suggestions for improvement, please let me know and write it in the comments! I wish you all a good start in the week and a great day! Next week you will find a small Berlin Outfit special and a little surprise.

Your Iva